EU chief blasts party’s feuding

TORY big beasts have been warned bitter in-fighting could scupper Brexit and create a catastrophe for the economy.

The European Parliament’s chief negotiator Guy Verhofstadt yesterday hit out at the civil war raging in the Cabinet.

He claims the feuding between “hard” Brexiteers, led by David Davis, and those who want a “soft” approach under Chancellor Philip Hammond are wrecking the negotiations with Brussels.

Speaking at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Mr Hammond stressed he wanted “the closest possible arrangement” with the EU and it would be “madness” not to try for this deal.

But PM Theresa May used the summit to bolster the possibility of trade deals with America and China instead.

Mrs May said it was a “powerful vote of confidence” in Britain that Donald Trump and other world leaders have shown a “strong desire” to strike new trade deals.

But Mr Verhofstadt blasted: “The key question for us is: does the hard Brexit being pursued command the support of the British Parliament?

“Brexit should reflect the views of all British people, not just one wing of the Conservative Party.

“It seems to me that narrow party political interests are being put before the national interest.”

He said that although the economic damage of a hard exit would be bad for everyone in Europe, the UK would be hit hardest.

The EU chief added: “The UK Government still has choices, but time is running out.”

Mr Verhofstadt has previously said an agreement between the UK and EU could allow Britain to retain its rights for three years after the 2019 departure date.

A German business boss has also warned of potential difficulties.

Dieter Kempf, president of the Federation of German Industries, said: “Defending the single market, a key European project, must be the priority for the European Union.

“Over the coming months, it will be extraordinarily difficult to avert negative effects on British businesses in particular.”

The Houses of Commons and Lords and the European Parliament will all vote on the final Brexit deal after negotiations finish.